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$page->title = "Pastor Jeremiah";
$page->date = "2013/08/10";

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<p>Pastor Jeremiah Steepek transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was
to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was
filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for
change to buy food....NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the
church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit n the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares
and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him. </p>

<p>As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the
elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation........ "We would like to
introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek"....The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The
homeless man sitting in the back stood up.....and started walking down the aisle.....the clapping stopped with ALL eyes
on him....he walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a
moment....then he recited</p>

<p>&ldquo;Then the King will say to those on his right, .Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance,
the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was
thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.. .Then the righteous will answer him,
.Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a
stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit
you?&rsquo;</p> <p>&ldquo;The King will reply, .Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>

<p>After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that
morning...many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame.... he then said....Today I see a gathering of
people......not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples...when will YOU decide
to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week.......Being a Christian is more than something you claim.
It's something you live by and share with others.</p> <p>From Westcoast Fiya </p>

<h2>BE THE CHURCH WHEREVER YOU GO!</h2>

<p>Wherever you are. Everyday, not just Sunday. Church is a people not a
building. Be a Christ follower not a member of a club. We're not perfect, we make mistakes, that's why we have
fellowship and meet regularly so we can learn and grow. Go in peace. Go bless someone today.</p>

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<p class="footnote">NOTE: This story may well be fictional (<a href="http://www.snopes.com/glurge/homelesspastor.asp" target="_blank">&ldquo;Pastor Present&rdquo; on Snopes.com</a>). It however speaks clearly
about living as a follower of Jesus, and loving and valuing all people.  Jesus often used fictional stories to explain a
truth.  Follow the way, the truth, the life and the love of Jesus.</p>
